Again, my hands went to my stomach, and I winced while I breathed through an inserted, twisty biological tube. I would’ve asked more questions if I had time although, I don’t think I really wanted to know. My lips thinned around the tube, and I hoped that Matros would behave. His muscles were taut and thick fingers wrapped around his blade as he stared down.

I understood his point. I was kidnapped, and he couldn’t find me. Now I insisted that our enemies help with the birth. I was also attached to various sea creatures. Oh, and this is after I told him about the biological research. Having a living Omega was perfect for creating a biological weapon. Then there were his men that were dead. All good reasons to slay and yet he stayed his hand. I could only imagine how that was killing him inside.

From the pool, I look-up into the black eyes of Sammen. I was of land and they of the sea. I am male and they are female. Small little guy and they muscled warriors. I was a single person, and they a hive-mind. At least I suspected. Was there enough commonality to ensure they’d help me?

I didn’t remember who was ahead in favors. They helped in my kidnapping – although, I suspected they were ordered to do so. That said, they were assisting with the birth. Doing nothing and allowing my delivery to fail would allow them to strike back at the Volardi.

What if I ask them to do more?

I jerked a shaky head over to Fuath. The tube thinned to let me speak. “Can one of you restrain him… in the interest of safety for all?”

I didn’t understand diplomacy as Matros would say. Yet, I fully knew what my request asked; I want you to restrain your leader. Alien facial gestures were different. Had they had eyebrows they surely would’ve raised them. They both stared for several moments before one whistled. Commanding music came to mind. Shrill, long, and with plenty of melodic ‘ups and downs’. Almost as if someone were communicating with a song.

As if to confirm my thoughts, several thick and wet eels slithered over to Fuath and bound him tight. Since he was shorter, he didn’t have as many as Matros had earlier.

If he noticed his bonds from his prone position, he gave no sign. How safe or effective it was, I didn’t know. The women restrained him easily and could undo it too. Even Fuath if he awoke could override the commands. Beyond that, I was dealing with a race of people that obeyed the ‘letter of the law’ and not the spirit. A king was to be obeyed and he knew how to phrase his commands.